TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION TEXAS PRESERVATION GUIDELINES REMEMBERING TEXAS GUIDELINES FOR HISTORICAL RESEARCH Texans boast a unique history. As the state agency for historic preservation, the Texas AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER, #C00208 World War l Victory Parade, Congress Avenue, Austin, 1919 Historical Commission works with citizens throughout the state to identify, interpret and preserve our heritage. We look forward to your contributions to preserving Texas’ heritage. INTRODUCTION 2) Subject markers commemorate topics significant in our state’s history. Solely educational in nature, Texans boast a unique history. As the state agency they carry no restrictions. Criteria for subject markers: for historic preservation, the Texas Historical I Historic persons are deceased for at least 20 years Commission (THC) works with citizens throughout I Historic events occurred at least 30 years ago the state to identify, interpret and preserve our her- I Institutions, organizations, festivals, communities, itage. This publication explains the criteria, research church congregations, etc. were established at least methods and documentation necessary to apply for 75 years ago. Tan Official Texas Historical Marker or listing in the National Register of Historic Places, programs Significance within local, state, regional or national administered by the THC. Properties may qualify for history must be demonstrated for topics commemo- either or both designations, but at this time separate rated by subject markers. application forms are required. 3) Historic Texas Cemetery markers commemorate OFFICIAL TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKERS historic cemeteries more than 50 years old that are formally designated as Historic Texas Cemeteries. Three types of markers commemorate Texas history: Markers are not required for designated cemeteries 1) The Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) but are available for purchase as an interpretive tool. honors historic properties more than 50 years old Information regarding Historic Texas Cemetery that merit preservation for their architectural and his- designation and application requirements may be torical associations. Eligible properties include houses, requested from the THC’s History Programs commercial buildings, churches and synagogues, Division. bridges, courthouses, schools and other institutional facilities. Once RTHLs are designated, THC staff review any proposed exterior alterations. The Waco Suspension Bridge, McLennan County, c.1880. Symbols of past achievements, landmarks may be commemorated by historical CENTER FOR AMERICAN HISTORY, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN markers and listing in the National Register. This bridge reflects developments in engineering technology during the late -19th century that coincided with Waco’s emergence as a regional trading center. Waco 1880 2 THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES The National Register of Historic Places (NR) acknowledges properties significant in American history, architecture and archeology. Buildings, structures, sites, objects and historic districts are eligible for listing if significance at the local, state or national level can be demonstrated. Like RTHLs, a property listed in the NR must be at least 50 years old, retain its historic appearance with few alterations and merit preservation for its historical and architec- tural associations. For more information, see the THC booklet, Guidelines for Listing your Property in the National Register of Historic Places. TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Panna Maria Cemetery, Karnes County. Historic cemeteries often survive as tangible reminders of early settlements. They can be designated as Historic Texas Cemeteries and under certain circumstances may be listed in the National Register. This distinctive grave marker represents the contributions of Polish immigrants to the settlement of Texas during the 19th century. TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Amarillo 1910 Portrait, c.1910. Melissa Dora Oliver-Eakle, shown here with her daughter, built a successful business empire in the Texas Panhandle. A subject marker commemorates her significant contributions to Amarillo’s early-20th-century prosperity, including the development of a neighborhood listed as a National Register historic district. grants to the settlement of Texas dur- ing the 19th century. 3 Texas Cotton Mill Company complex, McKinney, Collin County. Published by the CENTER FOR AMERICAN HISTORY, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Sanborn Fire Insurance FORMULATING A RESEARCH PLAN Company throughout the late- 19th and early-20th centuries, Before you begin writing, formulate a research plan. Sanborn maps are invaluable Applications for historical designation require research tools. Revealing documentation of the significance of the property or topic to be commemorated. Typically, this takes the patterns of development and form of a well-researched narrative history based on building evolution, they are historic records. Three essential steps should guide useful to community historians your research project: and building researchers alike. This 1920 view of one of I DEFINE OBJECTIVES McKinney’s cotton processing I CONDUCT RESEARCH facilities demonstrates that I SYNTHESIZE AND ANALYZE worker housing was incorporated We recommend you follow these steps for your into the industrial complex. research project. Additional assistance may be found in the publications listed in APPENDIX C on page 13. # DEFINE OBJECTIVES on collecting information that explains the signifi- Your objective is to document the significance of cance of your property or topic. Every fact you your property or topic. To do so, you must under- uncover may not be relevant. For example, in chroni- stand the relationship between it and general historical cling the history of a Lutheran congregation in Texas, trends. Remember to keep things in perspective, a lengthy discussion of Martin Luther would detract however. You must decide what information is worth from the story of the local church. Addressing the gathering, examining and analyzing. Decide how classic questions Who? What? When? Where? and much depth and detail is required. Focus your efforts How? may help you define your objectives. 4 TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Freedman’s Town Historic District, Houston, Harris County. This view reveals the Consider the following examples: cohesive architectural charac- I WHO? teristics of the historically Who were the individuals (owners, occupants, African American neighborhood builder, architect, founder, etc.) involved with that evolved in Houston’s the topic? Fouth Ward during the late- 19th and early-20th centuries. Discuss the details of their lives, including place Documentation helped of birth, education, military/civic service, dates of preservationists develop proto- birth and death. types or compatible new Discuss the significance of their contributions to construction in this National local history. Register Historic district. I WHAT? What was the property called at the time it was Houston 1920 associated with the important events, institution or persons, or when it acquired its important physical characteristics? How many buildings, structures or other resources make up the property? What are the property's historic characteristics and functions? What is the current condition of the property, including the exterior, grounds, setting and interior? Fort Davis, Jeff Davis County. Drawings by architects, builders and artists can I WHEN? provide valuable insight about the history When was the property constructed, and when did of structures. Documented in 1965, it attain its current form? this drawing of the officers quarters at Fort Davis guided restoration efforts. Define the period of time (beginning/ending) associated with the topic. Taken from Texas Catalog: Historic American Building Survey.ants to the set- tlement of Texas during the 19th century. 5 When did changes occur, and how have they affected Do not overlook the site of a building or event as a the property’s historic integrity? source of information. Walk through the property and gather information that describes it, noting distinctive What was happening at this time in the community, features and obvious changes and alterations. Try to region, state or nation that affected the topic? gain an understanding of the relationship between buildings and their settings. Compare architectural I WHERE? characteristics with other buildings in the community Describe the sites associated with the topic, of similar age and style. Note interior materials and including former locations. room arrangements. Describe the property’s location, size and boundaries. Consistently record relevant information as well as its source. Good notes and proper citations for Relate the property to its surrounding community research materials will facilitate the next step in the or landscape. research process: synthesizing and analyzing the facts. I HOW? What were the underlying causes/patterns of development associated with the topic? How is the topic significant in community, regional or state history? CONDUCT RESEARCH El Paso 1930 Guardian Angel Catholic Use primary and secondary sources to help construct Church, El Paso. Research the history of your topic. Background reading identi- in the congregational fies major themes that affected the topic. Decide archives turned up which questions need to be answered based on this invaluable primary source background reading. If necessary, alter, discard or material, including this add questions as the project proceeds.